Bassett High School Band wins eighth state championship

BASSETT – “This is our 8th State Championship at Bassett. Our main focus each year, each week, each day, each rep is for the students to give there best effort possible. We don't believe in excuses, we believe in results. Sometimes we just have to admit that we failed or didn't do our best and learn from our mistakes. Sometimes our best results come from our biggest failures. Great effort is expected daily through all of these experiences.“ Trey Harris, Bassett High School Band Director

"Oddly Enough" was this years show total. All of our musical ideas stemmed from famous compositions that had an odd number in the title. Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Mahler's 5th Symphony, Dvorak's 9th Symphony, One is the loneliest number, First Suite in E flat, 7 Nation Army, Prokofiev's March Opus 99, and 99 Luft Balloons. We also used odd numbers on our props, uniforms, flags, and even on top of our heads instead of plumes.

There were 38 bands from across the Commonwealth that performed this weekend.

“Our belief has always been- "competition breeds success". It isn't about the WIN, but it IS about doing your best. We stress this in music, education, relationships, commitment, dedication, and most importantly, leadership. Most of our students will not be band directors, but they will be successful doctors, bankers, teachers, nurses, preachers, secretaries, housewives, business owners, etc. We want them to be the best at what they do for our future. Being the best band doesn't matter. Being the best person DOES!“

“We were crowned the Class 3A State Champion on Saturday in Lynchburg. The band won 1st place Color Guard, 1st place Percussion, 1st place Music, 1st place General Effect, and 1st place Visual sweeping all captions leading them to their Class State Championship.“

“Winning a State Championship is always thrilling for the kids, our school, and our community. The band kids and staff take GREAT PRIDE in representing our community at all local, regional. state, and national events. We know who we are, and we know who we represent. Hard work and dedication doesn't always guarantee a State Championship, but the lessons we learn along the way are what we celebrate the most.”

Cataesha Jamison, Senior Color Guard member, "Winning a Class State Championship and advancing to finals against all of the groups and finishing 2nd overall out of all the bands in Virginia. Elizabeth Stone, Senior Flute player, - she won a $1,000 scholarship Saturday night for an essay that she submitted to the organization. "It was so amazing, shocking, and exhilarating all at the same time. I was really hoping to win the scholarship but of course you never think that you will be picked. That was the perfect way to cap off the night! Winning a State Champion and a scholarship all in one day. It is a feeling that I will never forget. Caitlyn Barbour, Junior Drum Major, “My favorite experience with the band this fall was conducting the band at our Finals performance at the Bands of America South Carolina Regional. The band was so good that night and it was just so fun to be apart of that magical night.“